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An Open House scheduled for Wednesday, August 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. will be our first opportunity to see changes that may be coming to Alameda Blvd. between I’25 and Edith Blvd. The open house will be held on the second floor of the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum in the Pugash Hall.

There have long been rumors of a proposed widening by Alameda Blvd. but the meeting announcement makes no specific mention of what changes are proposed.

Pleas take time to go by the open house and learn what is planned and how it might impact people who live near Alameda Blvd.

The City of Albuquerque, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are jointly sponsoring the meeting.

There will be a meeting of the Alameda North Valley Association (ANVA) on Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center (9800 4th St. NW)

There will be updates from:

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department – Sheriff Manny Gonzales

Bernalillo County Fire Department – Chief Chris Celaya

Questions are welcomed and information will be provided. The meeting will be a low-key informal meeting that will allow the Sheriff and Chief to meet some residents and allow them a chance to learn about some of your ideas and concerns.

The meeting is open to the public and the media is invited.

Please try to attend and please share this information with your neighbors.

Early voting has started! Here is info on the school board election that will be held on February 7, 2017.

Eligible voters may cast a ballot early at any of the 12 Early Voting Convenience Centers. These locations will be open Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning Wednesday, January 18 until Saturday, February 4. You may vote at any of the 12 locations. For a list of early voting convenience center locations, go to the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office election website.

More than 60 people attended the recent Alameda North Valley Association Candidates Forum. The candidates from New Mexico House of Representatives District #15 and New Mexico Senate Districts #9 and 10 were all in attendance.

Ane Romero

One of the surprises of the event was in the District 15 race were comments by democrat Ane Romero and republican Sarah Maestas Barnes. Both candidates spoke in support of Solar Energy Tax Credits for homeowners. The tax credit has expired and both candidates voiced support for its reinstatement in the New Mexico tax code. Maestas Barnes carried a bill supporting reinstatement of the tax credit, which passed in a recent legislative sessions, but it was vetoed by Governor Susana Martinez.

Romero said she is especially interested in state support of behavioral and mental health issues. She expressed concern for local residents who are afraid to open their doors to strangers in the wake of recent burglaries, and said she wanted to find a way to make the area safer. Romero also mentioned an interest in bringing long-term economic investment to New Mexico.

Sarah Maestas Barnes

Maestas Barnes reiterated her ongoing interest in issues that involve children. She said she is especially concerned about child pornography and will support efforts to increase penalties for pornographers. She also discussed her work to expand the amber alert system. Maestas Barnes said she would address the financial shortfall lawmakers must soon solve by pulling money set aside for positions within state government that have not been filled. Maestas Barnes also mentioned that she is working with community members on North Edith to try to address infrastructure concerns about access to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County wastewater system.

Aubrey B. Dunn

In the Senate District 10 race, newcomer Aubrey B. Dunn, a republican, is running in his first political campaign. He said the state budget can no longer be done in the same way. He spoke about the need to emphasize vocational education and to give farmers and ranchers greater support. Dunn also voiced support for a vibrant logging industry. Dunn also said he supports term limit for lawmakers.

Bill O’Neill

Incumbent Bill O’Neill, a democrat, said he is running again because he has unfinished business. He talked about the polarization in the New Mexico Senate and said that is why he plans to again carry a bill for an independent redistricting commission. O’Neill said he would also carry legislation to remove the question about prior felonies from job applications. He believes it is important to give people who have served their sentences a second change. O’Neill said he would also sponsor a bill that would prevent lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for four years after they leave the legislature. He believes the biggest priority for the North Valley is improved infrastructure.

Diego Espinoza

In Senate District 9, republican Diego Espinoza is running against democratic incumbent John Sapien. Espinoza said the biggest problem in the district is the number of people who can’t find a job. That’s an important issue to him, he said because his family is from Mora, New Mexico but they had to move to the Albuquerque area because work is scarce in Mora. Espinoza said that experience showed him it was important for everyone to have better access to the job market. He said he does not have the experience his opponent does, but will look to people to help him answer the problems the state is facing.

John Sapien

John Sapien emphasized his experience as a small business owner and talked about the way he supports his employees. Sapien said he would like to find a way to turn the economy of New Mexico away from oil and gas and to build a stronger infrastructure for the state. He also spoke about his work as chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Sapien noted there are many problems with inadequate sports facilities for young people.

The meeting at the Raymond G. Sanchez community center adjourned early to allow members of the audience to discuss individual concerns with the candidates.

In January Sen. Sapien warned the community about the difficult financial situation facing the legislature and his predictions of the problems proved true.

Sen. John Sapien

The lawmakers will talk about the budget compromises that had to be made and the decisions that lie ahead

in the 2017 legislative session. In 2016 many state departments, the public schools and higher education faced some budget cuts, and agencies will be seeking additional funds to improve operations.

One of the big problems facing the state legislature next year is how to fund Medicaid. When New Mexico decided to accept Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act lawmakers knew it would be very costly. They were counting on oil and gas tax revenues to help pay for extra cost, but those revenues have crashed over the last year.

Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes

Soon lawmakers will be faced with very difficult choices about whether to increase taxes to pay for health care for New Mexicans who live at poverty levels or whether to limit health care. This will be an opportunity to ask them how the think this big problem should be handled.

There will also be an opportunity for other candidates who are running for office to introduce themselves to people before the primary in June.

In addition to the legislators, there will be an update on activities in Bernalillo County.

There will also be an election of officers. Anyone who is interested in serving on the board of directors for ANVA over the next year should contact Steve Wentworth at ANVAnews@aol.com

The Albuquerque Police Department Valley Command Citizens Policing Council will meet on Wednesday, February 17, at 10:00 AM. at Los Duranes Community Center at 2920 Leopoldo Rd. NW. The guest speaker will be Lt. Glenn St. Onge of the Alb. Police Departments Violent Crime Division.

Lt. St. Onge gave a presentation on use of force concepts to the District 4 Coalition of Neighborhoods, which was very well received. He has been instrumental in getting not only APD, but also the BCSO and Rio Rancho DPS to agree to work together on mental health issues.

The presentation you will see at the next meeting has been put together by not only our police officials but also by individuals from UNM and has so impressed people that they have been asked to present it at a national convention in Chicago in April.

All of our public safety dept officials are working together to complete the training lined out in these DOJ agreements on use of force. This meeting will be very beneficial in answering the questions of where all of our DPS departments are heading in the use of force concepts and the processing of the mentally impaired.

New Mexico State Senators Bill O’Neill and John Sapien and State Representative Sarah Maestas Barnes have been invited to speak at the next meeting of the Alameda North Valley Association on Thursday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center.

They will speak about what we can expect during the 30 day legislative session. This year lawmakers will focus on passing a state budget and will determine how much capital outlay money might be available for special projects such as repair or renovation of the community center.

This is your opportunity to meet and speak with your local legislator about any issues of concern you might have. Please join us for this neighborhood discussion of local issues.